Capitals sign Jakob Chychrun to eight-year contract extension

The Washington Capitals have locked up a key part of their future as on Tuesday the club announced that it has re-signed pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year deal that carries a $9-million annual average value.

Through 65 appearances with the Capitals this season, Chychrun has notched 43 points counting 18 goals and 25 assists. In all, Chychrun’s 18 goals are outpaced by only two defensemen league-wide in Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Chychrun trails teammate John Carlson by three points for top spot in scoring among Capitals defensemen.

Skating in his first season with Washington, Chychrun joined the Capitals following an offseason deal with the Ottawa Senators that saw the club part with fellow rearguard Nick Jensen plus a third-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Originally chosen 16th overall by the former Arizona Coyotes in the 2016 NHL Draft, Chychrun has totaled 532 career contests between the Coyotes, Senators, and Capitals in which he has registered 94 goals and 165 assists for 259 points. While Chychrun’s 43 points this season already stand as a career high, he has twice previously cracked the 40-point plateau including a 41-point finish with the Coyotes in 2020-21 as well as last year’s 41-point effort with the Senators. Chychrun has also picked up one point through nine appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For the Capitals, on the season the club sits atop the NHL standings with a 47-15-8 record and 102 points. In the midst of a four-game winning streak, the Capitals will try for their fifth consecutive victory when the club retakes the ice Tuesday against the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets. The Capitals have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in nine of the past 10 seasons but have not won a round since the franchise won its first-ever championship in 2018 over the Vegas Golden Knights.